At this moment, within the Yan familyâs residence, the Duke and his wife were currently standing in the courtyard outside of Yan Shi Feiâs bedroom.
âFeiâEr, your poison has broken out again, and if you donât take this antidote pill, you might die!â Her motherâs face was filled with worry as she called out towards the room, âListen to mother â hurry and come out! Your life is at stake!â
It was a pity that the young woman had locked the doors and refused to come out, which made them worry endlessly.
âEven if I die, I wonât take his antidote pill,â the young womanâs cold voice sounded out from within the room.
From her voice, they could tell that she was in a poor condition. She had mustered up quite a bit of strength to say that and express her determination.
âFeiâEr, whatâs not good about that young master Yu Chen?â her mother earnestly asked. âNot even considering his background, he travelled all this way to give you an antidote pill. This sort of sincerity is rare and precious. Moreover, this young master Yu Chen is magnificent and majestic, and is a young hero who is truly worthy of you. Why must you reject this marriage?â
âTravelled all this way to give me an antidote pill?â the cold voice sounded out incredulously. âIf heâs truly that sincere, why must he force me to marry him? Hmph, in reality, he just wants me, and is using this antidote pill as an exchange.â
âFeiâEr, youâre wrong â young master Yu Chen didnât say you had to marry him. He only mentioned it in passing back then.â The Duke was also incredibly frustrated as he said, âYou donât have to marry him. At least take the antidote pill!â
âIâd rather die than take his antidote pill,â Yan Shi Feiâs strained voice was still just as cold. âDonât treat me like a child. If I really took that antidote pill and that Qiu Yu Chen asked again, you wouldnât be able to refuse him, and I would have to comply.â
âSince heâs acting kind in exchange for this, how could I marry him?â As Yan Shi Fei spoke, she became more and more emotional. âIâd rather die from this poison than be forced into something like this. Even if I am to marry, I want to marry who I love, and who also loves me. I refuse to allow my marriage to turn into a trade â if it has to be like this, Iâd rather let the poison kill me.â
Although the young womanâs words seemed quite extreme, she meant every one of them. Her determination caused the people in the courtyard to feel a sense of heartache. It seemed that changing her mind wouldnât be so simple, and it would be difficult to resolve this situation.
âAi, this child.â Yan Ron shook his head. He never thought that his daughter would be so stubborn.
âLord, what should we do?â His wife was also extremely worried. Back then, they had only mentioned this matter, and did not think that their daughter would react in such an extreme way. She had completely refused to even meet Qiu Yu Chen again, much less touch the antidote pill.
Duke Yan had wanted to force his daughter to take the pill, but she had tightly locked the doors. She had even threatened that if they were to force her, she would take her own life, leaving her parents with no choice but to stand by. They were deeply afraid that their daughter would do something silly.
âBig sis, Iâve brought big brother Xiao Yun.â As the two parents frowned, a clear and delightful voice called out.
âXiao Yun?â Madam Yan looked over to the entrance of the courtyard, and saw a young man and young girl running over. Xiao Yun and Yan Shi Yan were both in a great rush, and had run here the entire way, breathing raggedly.
Seeing this youth, Duke Yanâs brows slightly relaxed. With Xiao Yun, they could preserve his daughterâs life at least for the time being, and the current crisis would be as good as resolved. As for the antidote pill, they always had more chances to convince her.
Next to him, Madam Yan tightly frowned as a look of contempt appeared in her eyes.
â If it wasnât for him, FeiâEr wouldnât fearlessly refuse to take young master Yu Chenâs antidote pill. â Thinking to there, Madam Yanâs expression darkened.
âFather, mother, how is big sis?â Yan Shi Yan hurriedly asked after arriving in the courtyard and seeing her parents standing there.
âYour big sister locked herself in her room. Hurry and talk to her,â the Duke sighed.
âMmm,â Yan Shi Yanâs responded as her long eyelashes fluttered.
âDuke Yan, Madam Yan,â Xiao Yun greeted as he walked over.
âWeâll have to trouble you regarding Shi Fei.â Duke Yanâs expression was slightly haggard as he calmly looked at Xiao Yun.
âDonât worry Duke Yan. Iâll definitely stabilise the poison within big sister Shi Feiâs body,â Xiao Yun replied.
âWhatâs the use of stabilising it?â Madam Yan retorted with an icy expression. âWill you come every day to extract poison for her in future? Sheâs already grown up. Donât you think this will affect her life in the future?â
âWhat do you mean by this, Madam Yan?â Xiao Yunâs expression couldnât help but darken. Anyone could hear the deeper meaning in her words â evidently, she was quite against Xiao Yun seeing Yan Shi Fei.
âNothing much,â Madam Yan calmly replied. âI just hope that youâll convince FeiâEr to take that antidote pill, so we wonât have to always trouble you to come here and extract her poison. This is good for both of you. Iâm sure you wonât refuse.â
âHaha, it seems that Madam Yan means that with my lowly status, frequently visiting big sister Shi Feiâs room will affect her reputation, am I correct?â Xiao Yun had a trace of a cold smile on his face. Back when Yan Shi Fei had been poisoned, even the Violet Cloud Countyâs Pill Refiner Yan Xu had been unable to do anything, and yet he had saved her life. He could still remember how courteously Madam Yan had treated him back then. It was only when he had his conflict with Fang Hao two months ago did her attitude suddenly change.
âThatâs right.â Madam Yan raised her eyebrows, looking cold and conceited as she spoke directly. âYoung master Qiu Yu Chen has fallen for our daughter and wishes to marry her. I donât want you getting too close, so itâs best that you cut yourself off.â
âHow do you want me to cut myself off?â A bitter smile appeared on Xiao Yunâs face.
âJust say to her that youâre unable to extract her poison anymore. That way, sheâll definitely agree to marrying young master Qiu sooner or later,â Madam Yan said. âI can promise on behalf of young master Qiu that if you do this, weâll gift you with an Innate Pill. That way, youâll have a chance at entering the Innate realm. This is a rare opportunity â will you consider it?â
âInnate Pill?â A cold smile appeared on Xiao Yunâs face as he replied, âApologies, but I donât want that Innate Pill. Moreover, Iâm unable to change big sister Shi Feiâs mind. If you want to persuade her, do it yourself. Iâm going to extract her poison now, so please excuse me.â
After speaking, Xiao Yun turned and left.
âThis boy doesnât know whatâs good for him,â Madam Yan was furious as she gnashed her teeth and inwardly harrumphed, â A toad wanting to eat a swanâs meat is simply wishful thinking!â
Xiao Yun had withdrawn his aura, so Madam Yan was unable to detect his true cultivation, which was already in the Innate realm.
âAi.â Duke Yan, whose head had been completely muddled due to the affair regarding his daughter, didnât pay too much attention to Xiao Yun either. Seeing that Xiao Yun had refused in such a way, he could only shake his head and sigh.
âMother, what are you doing?â Yan Shi Yan looked over as she glared at her mother. âBig brother Xiao Yun came to help big sis. How could you talk to him like that? Hmph, youâre so snobbish. I bet you want big sis to marry that Qiu Yu Chen immediately.â
âShi Yan, is that how you should talk to your mother?â Madam Yan glared back.
âHmph, Iâm not talking to you anymore. Big brother Xiao Yun, letâs go,â Yan Shi Yan pouted and dragged Xiao Yun off.
âIs this girl also rebelling against her parents?â Madam Yan was furious.
âWife.â Duke Yan shook his head, telling his wife not to say anymore. It was important to stabilise their daughterâs poison first.
âBig sis, hurry and open the door. Iâve brought big brother Xiao Yun,â Yan Shi Yan called out as she pulled Xiao Yun to the bedroom.
âOnly the two of you are allowed to come in,â Yan Shi Fei said in a powerless voice.
âMm,â Yan Shi Yan nodded. âBig sis, I know what to do.â
The door was opened as a haggard and ashen face appeared before them. Xiao Yun felt his heart tighten in pain at the sight of her.
âCome in.â Yan Shi Feiâs eyes were dim and lustreless, and she barely had any strength in her voice. When she saw the pain in the youthâs eyes, she felt a warmth within her heart, and felt strangely happier. Xiao Yun did not wait around and entered the bedroom.
âShi Yan, please wait outside,â Yan Shi Fei said to the young girl who was following tightly behind Xiao Yun.
âHmph, kicking me out again.â
Yan Shi Yanâs watery eyes glared as she spoke angrily, âBig sis, how can you just abandon me after I did this for you?â
She had brought big brother Xiao Yun over; how could her big sister kick her out immediately? What was going on? Did they want to enjoy their two-person world? Yan Shi Yanâs cheeks puffed out in anger.
âThis girl.â Yan Shi Fei found her sisterâs cuteness quite amusing and laughed as she said, âListen to big sis. Weâll need you to stand guard outside and stop father and mother from coming in. I donât trust them at all!â
âOh.â Yan Shi Yan pouted, looking quite unhappy as she glared at her big sister and Xiao Yun. She looked like a little wife looking at her husband, afraid that her big sister would snatch him away.
Xiao Yun calmly stood by the side, as if it had nothing to do with him. He had already become used to this girl acting like this. Seeing how terrible her big sister looked, Yan Shi Yan could only give in and exit the room.
Now, only Xiao Yun and Yan Shi Fei remained within the room.
As Xiao Yun looked at the haggard-looking young woman, his heart deeply ached.
âSince you have an antidote pill, why not take it?â Xiao Yun asked in a low voice.
âDo you want me to marry him?â Yan Shi Fei had wanted to explain, but seeing the deep expression within the youthâs eyes, her heart was moved. Hearing what she had just said, she felt as if her heart was going to leap out from her chest and she looked incredibly nervous.
âBig sister Shi Feiâs so beautiful. Â Who would want you to marry someone else?â Xiao Yun shook his head as he bitterly smiled, then looked at the young woman seriously as he asked in earnest, âDo you want to marry him?â
After he asked this question, the atmosphere in the room became slightly strange, and time seemed to freeze.
âIf I want to marry him, why would I be in this situation?â Yan Shi Fei stared in surprise, as if she saw something within the youthâs eyes. She seemed to have received some sort of answer, but her face remained calm as she gave a bitter smile. âItâs just that my father and mother are incredibly eager to marry me off to that Qiu Yu Chen. Even if Iâm not willing, what can I do about it?â